Unashamed Workmen: How Expositors Prepare and Preach

“I have frequently attended Bible conferences to hear an accom- plished expositor and, after my soul was fed by his preaching, I wanted to sit with him and have a conversation about how he did it. To what extent does he consult commentaries? How much does he think about illustrations? If the text has three common interpretations, does he tell the congregation all three, or just the one he thinks correct? And how much of what he does relies on creativity as opposed to merely restating the text? Is application necessary in the sermon?Unashamed Workmen is like looking into the mind and over the shoulder of ten master expositors as they prepare, and then sitting in the audience as they deliver the fruits of their labors. The beauty of this project is that the reader can get answers, clearly noticing the differences of style and approach between the authors and yet also the one thing they hold in common: the primacy of the text.”

“I love touring the workshops of craftsmen, examining the tools, the sights, the sounds, the materials and the procedures that result in works of beauty and utility. Dodson gives us just such a tour of the workshops of talented preachers, enabling us to look over the shoulders of these master craftsmen of proclaimed truth in order to learn how we might produce messages reflecting the beauty and utility of their sermons.”

“In this valuable contribution to the art and science of preaching, Rhett Dodson has assembled a team of world-class expositors, each providing a sample sermon together with a fascinating fly- on-the-wall look at the preparation methods that produced them. While sometimes revealing the methodological idiosyncrasies of the preacher, the different approaches to sermon preparation nevertheless display a reassuring degree of overlap, driving home the point that, though personality, cultural context, and stylistic preferences may vary widely, faithful exposition will always aim at common goals (faithfulness to the text in its context, the nurture of believers, the conversion of the lost, the exaltation of God). Practical and encouraging, this volume will undoubtedly further the development of faithful preachers and faithful preaching, all to the glory and praise of the Lord.”

“What a privilege pastors have in preaching the living Word of God each week. And here is a book to encourage us in that responsibility. Whether the reader is a pastor fresh out of seminary or a seasoned veteran of the pulpit, he will find these pages to be remarkably helpful and practical. Prepare to be inspired, challenged and exhorted.”

“This is a great book. It brings together diverse and complement- ary voices from experienced expository preachers who are thoroughly committed to the Gospel. It is not a textbook. Its strength and freshness depend on the sweep of voices. This is not so much a book for students as for preachers a book to savor, reading a chapter or two, then a few weeks later another chapter or two, and so on, so as to refresh your vision and practice.”